The Odyssey: Books V to VIII

The Cauldron's discussion of Homer's Odyssey is moving on to the second set of four books, 5 to 8. Find your copy and join us. It's much more interesting than you may remember from high school English class.

• Message Board: Join in our discussion

What Kind Of Magic Do You Do?

I've seen quite a few threads asking how you think magic works, but I have yet to see one asking what people actually practice. So, what kind of magic do you do?

Why does that particular mode of practice appeal to you? Do you use tools? Physical objects? Mental manipulation? All or none of the above?

• Message Board: Join in our discussion

What is "Dark"?

In the past we've had threads whre some posters have described certain paths or Gods as being 'dark.' In some instances they have been queried on why they describe certain things as being so. To some this feels like an attack, whatever is meant by the attempts to identify issues for clarification.

I think what some of us might find helpful is to dicuss what we mean by dark. Not what we necessarily think the consensus view is, but to describe the attributes we refer to when we locate certain philosophies, Gods etc as being within 'dark territory.' We may not necessarily reach any agreement, but it may help us to be sympathetic towards other people's way of describing things.

• Message Board: Join in our discussion

The Illuminatus Trilogy

Have you read it? Did you like it? Did you love it? Did you hate it? Have you even heard of it? I'd love to get a discussion going here.

• Message Board: Join in our discussion

Cartoons Mocking Muhammad?

An international dispute over European newspaper cartoons deemed blasphemous by some Muslims is causing all sorts of trouble in Europe and the Middle East.

• Message Board: Join in our discussion

Humor: The Speshul World of Wytches and Majyc

In the last six months I have read everything on the top shelf of the New Age and Pagan section of my high school library, even though I really didn't have to because just realizing what I am has given me total enlightenment and all the knowledge I will ever need to have a perfect life and get everything I want and punish anybody who isn't as enlightened as me and tries to persecute me with logic and facts and thinking they are better than me.

• Link: Read the Full Humor Piece

Rhyme and Magic

Do you like to rhyme your spells?

Personally, I like to use rhymes. Coming up with good verse, or even good doggerel, helps me focus my brain on what I'm trying to do. When it's a formal spell I feel that putting in the effort and discipline of writing in verse shows that I'm serious about what I'm doing.

Plus, it's fun. I'm not too good at blank verse, but I really like working with rhyme and rhythm. I even like using formal or archaic forms and terms when I'm really into it.

• Message Board: Join in our discussion

What are The Gods?

I was wondering if the "Gods" were actual beings or are they just representations of beliefs? Lately I have been wondering that alot. It just seems really wierd to pray to something you really aren't that familliar with. But if you don't put a name on it (what ever you are praying to or for) it just makes it so much easier. Is this right or am I just totally off track?

• Message Board: Join in our discussion

Bad Things Happen, and Happen...

I would guess we've had discussions of this sort before, but, because I'm in the middle of-Life's crap, shall we say, I thought I'd bring it up and get the opinions of anyone who wants to answer, so here goes:

In the words of Rabbi Kushner, why do bad things happen to good people? and keep happening over and over, no matter what one does or doesn't do? I guess I'm talking about over fairly long periods of time, and not just the "bad weeks" that we all have...

How do you cope, if you've ever been in this sort of long term..cycle (it feels to me like a descent, but i'm not real objective at the moment)...

This thread may not make a whole lot of sense, but I don't want to drag my problems out, just because I know several of other TC members are having or have had bad times...Although I just want to say that at the moment, I want to just...throw in the towel...

• Message Board: Join in our discussion

Imbolc: Roman Style Ritual?

n two days, Imbolc rolls around, and with it, the celebration of the home, hearth, and whatnot.

In two days, I am supposed to have an Imbolc ritual written and be ready to lead said ritual.

Dan, our lovely President of Pagan Moon (A religion tolerance organization at Northern Michigan University) has requested I write a ritual for Imbolc using the Roman pantheon of deities.

My question is, what god or goddess can be associated with this holiday? I have been going through pages of research and the only goddess I can think of is Proserpine (Persephone in Greek mythology) who is trapped with Pluto in the underworld for half a year and one earth the other. The only thing is that I think she could be more associated with Beltaine, or Ostara, and I'm at a loss of what to do.

If anyone could give me a nudge in the right direction, I would be most appreciative.

• Message Board: Join in our discussion